A Career in Travel Writing:
- Are you a writer?
- A passionate one?
- Do you fancy writing about different countries and places, as opposed to being stuck behind a small desk, confined to a cubicle?
If your answer to all the above questions is a resounding yes, then you ought to consider travel writing.
Many people think of travel writing as a chance to visit places they wish to vacation at with their families and then writing about what they liked and didn’t. Vacationing and spending time with your family are the perks of a travel writer but there is a lot more to it than just fun. It is more about informing people of destinations that are worth travelling to, how to go, when to go, the do’s and the don’ts. Simply put, travel writing is about helping people make almost perfect holiday plans.
So here are a few pointers to understand and acknowledge before considering travel writing as a career option:
Love for Travel-
We do our best in things we love the most. If you’re passionate about something, you’ll pour your heart and soul to achieve what you aim for. Writing about travel should do the same. You’ve got to be able to write about destinations in a way that it either transports the reader to the place or compels them to take some time out to visit the place.
Keep Your Eyes, Ears and Mind Open
When you visit a new place, you are bound to witness different customs and religions and meet people belonging to different tribes, castes and creeds. Having an open mind is an essential requisite of travel writing in order to be tolerant and respectful towards new customs and traditions. Under no circumstance should you colour the article with your personal opinions on the subject. If you’re talking about the bull fighting event in Spain, for example, it’s the event the readers should know about and not the fact that you disapprove of the cruelty towards bulls. Of course, if there are legal or moral issues that are acknowledged universally, it can be included in your writing as well.
Enjoy Your Stay
The most important aspect of travel writing is to enjoy it yourself. Your emotions naturally flow into your writing. So live your new lifestyle to the fullest. Learn as much possible about the place as you can. Try their cuisine, take their tours, make new friends and most importantly be a part of it all. Your writing will reflect the fun you had; it is after all what will get people to pack their bags and discover the travel destination.
Adhere to Timelines
This point holds its importance for any form of writing, or any other work for that matter. It is important to be at the right place at the right time. There are certain events that take place at specific times of the year at specific destinations. If you miss your chance… well, you miss your chance. There’s no going back. And, of course, your work needs to be on the editor’s desk by the deadline. Stick to your word and don’t keep anyone waiting.
